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Griffey goes deep in win

Griffey goes deep in win

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By Mark Sheldon
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MLB.com |

REDS 5, TWINS 1at Sarastoa, Fla.Thursday, March 27

Twins at the plate: Jason Kubel tripled to lead off the fifth inning for one of only three hits the Twins would tally in the first seven innings. Nick Punto recorded a hit in his first at-bat but went 1-for-4 to raise his spring batting average to .133. Center fielder Brandon Roberts, who replaced late scratch Carlos Gomez, doubled in the eighth inning before Matt Tolbert drove him in with a single to right field.

Reds at the plate: Brandon Phillips and Adam Dunn singled in back-to-back at-bats in the fourth. Phillips then scored when Edwin Encarnacion grounded into a double play. Ken Griffey Jr. hit a two-run homer to right in the sixth inning. Andy Phillips singled in a run in the eighth.

Twins on the mound: Nick Blackburn made a strong push to show that he belongs in the Twins' rotation. In the running for the final rotation spot if either Francisco Liriano or Scott Baker are deemed not ready, Blackburn pitched five innings and gave up just one run on three hits while striking out four. Jesse Crain gave up the two-run homer to Griffey in his one inning of work. Closer Joe Nathan pitched one scoreless inning, issuing just one walk.

Reds on the mound: Starter Bronson Arroyo pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing just three hits. Arroyo struck out six and did not issue a single walk. Right-hander Jim Brower pitched one inning, giving up one run on two hits.

Grapefruit League records: Twins 14-14, Reds 15-15

Up next for the Twins: Left-hander Liriano will make his final start of the spring Friday, one that will determine whether he starts the season in the club's rotation. Liriano will face the Pirates and left-hander Paul Maholm in the 12:05 p.m. CT start.

Up next for the Reds: Closer Francisco Cordero will get the start for the Reds on Friday when they host the Rays in a 1:05 p.m. ET contest. Cordero will face off against Rays right-hander Matt Garza. Also scheduled to pitch for the Reds are Jeremy Affeldt and David Weathers.

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.